STRICTLY fever has arrived in Essex with the launch of a gym class inspired by the classic dances featured on the show.
Stock Brook Country Club, near Billericay, added Fit Steps to its class timetable around the same time the latest series of the very popular BBC1 show got underway – and it has proved an instant hit.
The class was created by Strictly Come Dancing dancers Natalie Lowe and Ian Waite, alongside series six contestant and Olympic swimmer Mark Foster.
Fitness instructor Ashleigh Buckley, from Wickford, explained how the Strictly duo were personally involved in selecting her as one of the Fit Steps instructors.
The 26-year-old said: "We did a full day's course of non-stop dancing, followed by an assessment.
"Unlike other classes, we then had to wait a week and a half to find out whether we'd passed or not.
"It was worth the wait though." Participants have the opportunity to learn steps from dances such as the quickstep and jive as part of a strenuous workout regime.
It is hoped the class will soon become a permanent fixture at the club and Stock Brook fitness manager Phil Minot told the Gazette the club was always hopeful it would be well received by members.
The 24-year-old, who lives in Benfleet, said: "We decided to try it at the club because we thought it would fit our membership demographic.
"The class is getting busier and busier so it looks to have been a good decision to have it here.
"There's no doubt the Strictly connection has been an important factor in its initial popularity with people.
"The feedback we have had so far has been great – people are saying it is a really fun way of exercising."
Ashleigh's enthusiasm for running the class stems from her background as a professional dancer and she says it is ideal because it has allowed her to do what she loves doing again.
She explained: "I love Zumba but it's very freestyle, whereas this is more my sort of thing because it's all about technique.
"It pushes me as well because I've not danced professionally for a long time.
"I used to be a dancer but then I had my daughter.
"The lifestyle that goes with dancing isn't that family friendly so I started doing fitness, which means I can work classes around her."
A typical class includes 12 dances split across five different dance genres.
The absence of a dance partner might seem strange, but Ashleigh insists this has no bearing on the enjoyment or the fitness benefits.
She said: "A lot of people think that, as it's inspired by Strictly, it will be partner based, but for Fit Steps you don't need a partner.
"Although it's mainly cardio based, you are simulating the same holds as if you did have a partner, so there is an element of resistance training to the class.
"People that do the class love it."
This is a view shared by regular Fit Steps participant Jane Collins, from Stock, who admits she jumped at the chance to join a class allowing her to combine exercise with dancing.
The 36-year-old said: "I like it because it's a fun workout and I love dancing.
"A class that combines both of these things suits me down to the ground."
There was some frustration from Ashleigh about the fact the Strictly name cannot be used to advertise the class.
However she is optimistic about its future and cited Zumba as an example of a class that existed for quite some time before really taking off.
She added: "I hope it's here to stay, I really do.
"Zumba was around for years before it got massive, so I think it is one of those things that will take time.
"It's a case of getting the word out and making people realise that it is a dance class and not a step class."
For more information visit stockbrook.com
